Photos by Ginny Kropf: Ron Human of Human Farms waits on frequent visitor to the market, Peg Pearce of Medina. Pearce tries to come every week for fresh produce.

MEDINA – With a focus on family farms, the Canal Village Farmers’ Market each week welcomes third-generation farmer Ron Human of Human Farms in Newfane to the market on the corner of West Center Street and West Avenue.

The market will continue to spotlight family farms for the next few weeks. Market manager Gail Miller urges everyone to come and check out the homegrown fruits and vegetables grown there, along with specialty items.

 The market welcomes community organizations and individuals to rent a space on Saturday morning.

(Left) A feature of the Canal Village Farmers’ Market last weekend was blacksmith Jacob Rowland, who devised this portable forge. A builder by trade, blacksmithing is his hobby. (Right) Jacob Rowland shapes a piece of hot iron into a hook at the Canal Village Farmers’ Market, where he occasionally demonstrates the art of blacksmithing.

Last week’s special vendor was Jacob Rowland of Ridgeway with his sister Hannah Rowland and Seraphim Brown of Middleport. Hannah was selling medicated creams for dogs, while Brown had small homemade pillows.

Jacob learned blacksmithing a year ago and said he has always liked building and making things, especially working with metal.

Entertainment and children’s activities are also weekly features.

“My hope is people coming to the market will see that many farms and farmers have been working their farms for a few generations,” Miller said. “Also, that they will note all of the farms are very local in Orleans and Niagara counties. Hopefully families will find the displays interested and educational – showing how labor intensive farming was and continues to be. And, that there is a rich history of farming in our two counties.”

There is also a kids’ game to identify some historical items on display at the market, brought from Miller’s family farm.

The market is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Gail Miller, manager of the Canal Village Farmers’ Market, holds an antique pitchfork which belonged to her family. The market is focusing on local farmers who support the market.

Julie Berry will celebrate her new novel with event at Author’s Note on Sept. 8

Provided photo: New York Times bestselling-author Julie Berry stands by a display in her bookstore Author’s Note, ready for the launch of her latest book, If Looks Could Kill. The launch is scheduled Sept. 8.

MEDINA – Local native Julie Berry, owner of Author’s Note and a New York Times’ best-selling author, will begin a nationwide tour for her new novel If Looks Could Kill with a launch celebration Sept. 8 at Author’s Note.

The launch will feature Jack the Ripper scholar and author Michael Hawley, an expert on Rochester-based Ripper suspect Francis J. Tumblety. Both authors will discuss their research and how it informed their works in three ticketed sessions, beginning at 6 p.m. and then at 7 and 8 p.m.

This local launch celebration commences a 29-stop nationwide tour at 11 states to launch If Looks Could Kill, a mashup of true crime and Greek mythology that pits Jack the Ripper against Medusa.

Berry’s next stop will be Act 4 Books in Perry on Sept. 9, followed by events in Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, Pittsburgh, Nashville, New England, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Virginia, Ohio, San Francisco and St. Louis.

Although this book does not officially release until Sept. 16, attendees can purchase and leave with signed hardcovers prior to the release date by special arrangement with the publisher.

If Looks Could Kill, a young adult and adult crossover historical fantasy novel published by Simon & Schuster as its “Top Shelf” title for its fall list, and described as dark, gritty and suspenseful, follows 18-year-old Tabitha Woodward. She is a recent recruit to the Bowery chapter of the Salvation Army, and her prim, pious roommate, Pearl Davenport, as they seek to rescue a teenage girl trafficked into a brothel.

Meanwhile, Jack the Ripper having fled London, lurks in New York City, dodging Scotland Yard detectives. His fate and those of Tabitha, Pearl and their friends Mike and Freyda, will be swept up into a manhunt by a sisterhood of modern Medusas who yearn for vengeance against this most notorious of woman killers.

With its rich historical setting, strong female friendships, mythic resonance and a spellbinding romance, If Looks Could Kill takes aim at violence against women and girls in all its forms with stone-cold fury.

The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books calls If Looks Could Kill “a gut punch, a page-turning, well-balanced story in a richly drawn setting and its Medusa “the embodiment of female vengeance. Kirkus Reviews declares it to be “a powerful exploration of human connection during nightmarish times.”

In a starred review, the Horn Book says “Berry’s call to awareness of misogyny in its many guises is strong and clear. And, as is her way (e.g. The Passion of Dolssa), she treats historical detail with a light but sure hand and religious conviction with sympathetic clarity.”

Berry is the New York Times bestselling author of the 2020 NCTE Walden Award and SCBWI Golden Kite Award winner Lovely War, the 2017 Printz Honor and LA Times Book Prize shortlisted The Passion of Dolssa, the Carnegie and Edgar shortlisted All the Truth That’s in Me, the Odyssey Honor, the Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place and the Wishes and Wellingtons trilogy.

Her picture books include The Night Frolic, Happy Right Now and Cranky Right Now. Berry has a bachelor’s degree from Rensselaer in communication and a master of fine arts from Vermon College. She also owns Author’s Note, an independent bookstore in Medina.

Michael Hawley actively researches the 1888 unsolved Jack the Ripper murders mystery with particular emphasis upon prim suspect Dr. Francis Tumblety, who is buried in Rochester. Hawley is the author of Dr. Francis Tumblety the Railway Ripper (2023), Jack the Ripper Suspect Dr. Francis Tumblety (2018) and The Ripper Haunts (2016).

He has authored well over 20 research articles in crime journals and appeared as an expert on the History Channel in the Jack the Ripper episode of their History’s Greatest Mysteries series. He also appeared on the History Channel in the Jack the Ripper episode of their History’s Greatest Mysteries and as an expert on a prime video documentary titled The Trial of Jack the Ripper. He is currently a cohost on NBC radio’s House of Mystery with Allen R. Warren.

The Sept. 8 event at Author’s Note is free and open to the public. Tickets, however, are required to ensure adequate seating and can be reserved a www.authorsnote.com/events. For those unable to attend, signed copies of Berry’s book can be ordered at authorsnote.com or by phone at (585) 798-3642 and will be available at the store beginning on Sept. 8. Full details of the national IF Looks Could Kill tour are available by clicking here.

Press Release, Arc GLOW

Provided photo: Aliannah Snitzel and Camden Price blow bubbles at Camp Rainbow.

LYNDONVILLE —Camp Rainbow wrapped up a five-week summer season on Aug. 8, capping off a fun-filled experience for nearly 70 children from Genesee and Orleans counties.

With the hot weather, campers stayed cool in the pool and enjoyed new activities. IGNITE, an Arc GLOW college experience program in partnership with Genesee County Community College, joined camp every Friday to offer special activities. Another new addition this year was the installation of outdoor musical equipment, made possible by The Children’s Guild Foundation.

Transportation was also an important support for families in both Genesee and Orleans counties, 53 children utilizing the service to attend camp. The New Car Dealers of WNY Charitable Foundation generously funded transportation for Orleans County riders, while an anonymous donor sponsored travel for children from Genesee County.

Arc GLOW is incredibly grateful to the sponsors and grantors whose generosity made this year’s camp possible for so many children and families. A heartfelt thank you to:

• Orleans County United Way
• Orleans County Youth Bureau and New York State Office of Children and Family Services
• The Curtis Foundation
• New Car Dealers of WNY Charitable Foundation
• The Children’s Guild Foundation
• Medina Lions Club
• Lyndonville Lions Club
• Barre Center Presbyterian Church
• Orleans Chapter of the New York State Retired Teachers’ Association
• Medina Area Association of Churches
• Junior Wilson Sportsmen’s Club
• Gardner CITGO Station
• First Presbyterian Church Presbyterian Women
• Mitchell Family Cremations & Funerals
• Amgis Foundation
• Orleans County residents who support Camp Rainbow yearly

Because of their support, campers enjoyed a summer filled with learning, friendship and unforgettable memories!

To learn more about Camp Rainbow, visit ArcGLOW.org. Registration for the 2026 season opens in late winter/early spring.

Mike Hodgins had his first heart transplant was almost 35 years ago. Friends and family are planning a benefit Oct. 11 at Shelby Fire Hall to help with medical expenses.

SHELBY – Mike Hodgins was hailed as a miracle when he survived a heart transplant nearly 35 years ago, followed by Covid in 2020.

Now he is hoping for one more miracle as he faces a second heart transplant at the Cleveland Clinic.

“Mike has inspired so many with his strength, resilience and fighting spirit,” said Stephanie Kozma, a niece who is organizing the benefit.

This time Mike’s journey is even more demanding, according to Kozma.

He and his wife Kathy will have to travel to the Cleveland Clinic for testing, evaluation, surgery and recovery. This will require frequent and extended trips, time away from work and significant out-of-pocket expenses for lodging, food and transportation.

Through it all, Mike and Kathy continue to face each day with strength, love and unwavering hope. But they cannot do it alone.

The need the public’s support to help relieve the financial strain so they can focus fully on what matters most – Mike’s health and recovery, Kozma said.

Mike’s daughter Alicia said her father continues to work in his position at Medina Memorial Hospital.

“We urge the community to come together to support him and his family during this next chapter,” Kozma added.

The fundraiser is scheduled from 4 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 11 at Shelby Fire Hall. Admission is $25 for adults and $10 for kids 12 and under. Food, desserts and soda are included.

Mike’s favorite band, Dark Horse Run, will provide entertainment. There will also be a basket raffle 50/50 drawing and cash bar- but most of all, a whole lot of love for Miracle Mike.

Those who can’t make it but would like to donate may do so by logging on a GoFundMe (click here). Anyone who would like to donate a basket is asked to contact Stephanie at (716) 946-5591.

KNOWLESVILLE – The Genesee-Orleans Regional Art announced that the Steampunk Festival planned for today and Saturday has been cancelled.

GO Art! was attempting to bring back the festival. The organization has contacted vendors, entertainment and ticket holders with the news.

UPDATE: GO Art! posted this statement on its social media this afternoon:

“After much consideration, we are heartbroken to share that the Steampunk Festival has been cancelled.

To our incredible ticket holders: please check your email for important updates regarding your tickets.

As a nonprofit organization, we want to be transparent: events like this are only possible because of the income they generate. Every vendor fee, ticket sale, and sponsorship goes directly toward covering expenses such as entertainment, insurance, rentals, staffing, and so much more. When plans change, it creates significant challenges—and we deeply appreciate your understanding, patience, and empathy for the nonprofit world.

We cannot thank you enough for the support, excitement, and energy you’ve already poured into this event. While we’re devastated to make this announcement, we’re committed to continuing our mission of bringing arts and culture to our community in meaningful ways.

Thank you for standing with us through both the celebrations and the challenges.”

Medina Memorial putting in new parking lot, Farmers’ Market upgrading building and Hart House enclosing outdoor courtyard

This map shows where Medina Memorial Hospital plans to put a new parking lot with 56 spaces at 525 Eagle St. The hospital will demolish a house for the new lot.

MEDINA – The Orleans County Planning Board on Thursday gave its approval to three projects in the Village of Medina.

The board is recommending the village approve the following three projects:

Medina Memorial Hospital is proposing to demolish a house and put in a new parking lot with 56 spaces at 525 Eagle St., which is across from the main entrance of the hospital on Ohio Street.

The house/parking is located in the R1/Medical Overlay District. The project would also include sidewalk improvements to the hospital’s main entrance.

The new lot would be on a parcel that is .81 acre. The new lot will ease parking pressure in the main lot next to the hospital that planners said it often congested.

Rendering by Alderman Architect: Hart House in Medina is proposing an addition and roof on the courtyard.

Andrew Meier, owner of the Hart House at 113 West Center St., is planning to enclose the outdoor courtyard at the Hart House and add a roof to that site.

The project also includes new cementitious siding with battens, new windows, doors and masonry to complement existing brick.

The Hart House project would cover about 1,500 square feet and 1.5 stories. It will be able to accommodate about 100 people for parties and events.

The courtyard at Hart House is one of eight projects in Medina approved for funding as part of the $4.5 million NY Forward grant in Medina. The state approved the projects last year and the Hart House was awarded $500,000 from the $4.5 million total.

Rendering by Alderman Architect: The Canal Village Farmers’ Market would get a new metal roof and canopies, and other exterior work.

The Orleans Renaissance Group is proposing upgrade to the Canal Village Farmers’ Market at 127 West Center St. This project was approved for $675,000 from the NY Forward grant.

The farmers’ market previously was used by a bank and also a gas station. The building will be expanded and remodeled to allow for year-round use.

The improvements include a new standing seam metal roof, new painted steel structure, glazed overhead doors, cementitious siding, concrete base, windows, aluminum storefront entry doors, metal canopies, complementary brick masonry and new rooftop signs.

Business wants to have 35 parking spaces instead of required 53 under village code

Photo by Tom Rivers: The Broadway Group wants to demolish this building at 327 East Ave. in Albion and build a new 10,640-square-foot Dollar General with 35 parking spaces. This site is across the street from Charles D’ Amico High School.

 ALBION – The Orleans County Planning Board this evening voted to recommend the Village of Albion approve a variance for a new Dollar General store at 327 East Ave.

The Broadway Group, which is seeking to build the new store, is requesting the site have 35 parking spaces instead of the 53 required under the village code.

The store is proposed at 10,640 square feet. The village code requires a parking space for every 200 square feet of gross floor area.

The Broadway Group from Huntsville, Ala. has built many of the Dollar General stores around the country. Broadway said similar-size Dollar General stores need 32 parking spaces.

Allowing the variance for the 35 parking spaces would allow the site to keep more green space which would help with stormwater runoff and with a buffer to residential areas abutting the property.

“The proposed retail store is not necessarily a destination location for most people,” Brian Gross, staff engineer at Fagan Engineers & Land Surveyors, said in the application to the County Planning Board. “Therefore, customers will only be at the location for 20 minutes or less, meaning there will be a higher turnover rate in parking.”

The Village of Albion Planning Board will have a public hearing about the variance at 4 p.m. on Sept. 9 at the Village Office.

If the variance is approved, Broadway will then work on a site plan to be submitted the village and county.

County Planning Board members said they have some concerns about the tight parking lot and how will accommodate larger delivery trucks. Planners want adequate turnaround on the site so the truck doesn’t back out onto Route 31.

One possibility could be getting an easement from Cone Zone next door where trucks could enter Dollar General and exit from Cone Zone. Both properties are owned by Chris Kinter, the village’s code officer. He is recusing himself from the Dollar General project. Dan Strong, the code officer for the Town of Albion, and handling the code enforcement duties with the Dollar General variance and if there is a site plan and building permit.

Treasurer collects taxes for Albion, Lyndonville and Medina

Press Release, Orleans County Treasurer’s Office

ALBION – Orleans County Treasurer Kim DeFrank today said that school tax collection for the Albion, Lyndonville and Medina school districts will begin on Tuesday, September 2.  The Treasurer’s Office will collect and accept US-postmarked payments until Sept. 30 interest-free.

For those paying in person, DeFrank reminded residents that her office relocated last year to 156 South Main St. in Albion.

“Last year was our first tax collection at the new office and people really appreciated how much better parking and building access compared to our old location,” said DeFrank.  “And even better, many people took advantage of the drive-thru window to pay their bills without leaving their cars.”

The Treasurer’s Office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Anyone with questions regarding payment can contact the Treasurer’s Office at 585-589-5353.  The office can accept cash, check and VISA, MasterCard and Discover cards, although credit card payments have an additional fee.

New this year, the office can accept online credit card payments, with an additional fee.  To pay online, go to the county’s website at www.orleanscountyny.gov and click on Treasurer under the departments tab.

Photo courtesy of Todd Bensley: The stone wall on the hill of Boxwood Cemetery, facing North Gravel Road, has crumbled.

Press Release, Preservation League of NYS

MEDINA – The Village of Medina is one of this year’s Technical Assistance Grant awardees. The grant of $7,500 will fund a Limited Condition Assessment of the Old Cemetery Section Retaining Walls at the Boxwood Cemetery.

The Preservation League of NYS and their program partners at the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) are thrilled to help fund this important work. At its 2025 meeting, an independent panel selected 31 applicants in 20 counties to receive support totaling $347,500. Grants represent both of the League’s signature NYSCA regrants – Preserve New York (PNY) and Technical Assistance Grants (TAG).

Medina Mayor Marguerite Sherman said, “The Village is honored and thrilled that the Preservation League and its partners recognize the significance of Boxwood Cemetery, a site that has added to our community’s charm for over 175 years and attracts visitors from around the world today. We will engage our citizens and professionals in this cultural heritage project, thanks to this grant.”

Village Historian Todd Bensley added, “This vital grant will fund analysis by experts at Clinton Brown Company Architecture, pc., for a plan of restoration of Boxwood Cemetery’s character-defining Medina sandstone retaining walls at its hilly, ‘Old Cemetery’ section. This will help secure its future for generations to come.”

Historic Boxwood Cemetery, established in 1849, is an exemplary Victorian burial ground. Its terraces feature several walls of cut Medina Sandstone. The resting place of many early settlers and notable historic people, the cemetery includes approximately 5,000 marked burials, spanning from 1849 until the present day.

Boxwood’s evolution demonstrates changing cemetery design theories, including Rural and Park-Lawn cemetery models. The 1903 chapel was designed in the Gothic Revival style with Medina Sandstone. This grant-funded assessment will provide information to help guide the Village’s efforts to preserve Boxwood Cemetery for years to come.

“This year, the League has brought our two longstanding NYSCA partnership grants together into one cycle, allowing us to see a clear picture of the remarkable preservation work getting started across the state,” said Jay DiLorenzo, President of the Preservation League of NYS. “The targeted studies funded by TAG and the expansive reports made possible by PNY will lay the groundwork for many vital projects over the years to come.”

Press Release, Orleans County government

ALBION – The Orleans County Department of Planning and Development today urged residents to be aware of a scam targeting individuals with active applications submitted to their local town or village that require review by the county Planning Board.

According to Planning and Development Director Corey Winters, individuals are receiving fraudulent emails impersonating county planning officials. The email requests wire transfers, claiming payment is required as part of the planning board’s review process.  The emails appear to be coming from a fake email address planning-commission.OrleansCounty@usa.com

“These scams emails look very official and catch people off guard,” Winters said.  “The important things to remember are that county planning board review is free, no Orleans County office would solicit for wire transfer payments and any email from Orleans County will end with @orleanscountyny.gov.”

Winters said if you are unsure about suspicious emails, you should always contact the government office from which it purportedly came to directly to verity its authenticity.  The Planning Department can be reached at 585-589-3197.

Board hopes a formal study can lead to bigger grants for elevator, building upgrades

Photo by Tom Rivers: City Hall on Main Street in Medina is underutilized by the Village of Medina mainly due to a lack of handicapped accessibility. The Village Board is seeking a grant for an elevator and other improvements so the building can be better used by the public.

MEDINA – The Village Board wants to see the City Hall better utilized by the village government, but it will take an elevator and other improvements to make the site handicapped accessible.

The board is seeking a grant through the state’s Community Development Block Grant program to determine what is needed to make the building more accessible and the estimated costs.

Once the village has that report, it can pursue other grants to pay for the upgrades.

The building is underutilized by the village. Medina moved its village offices out of the site in 1999, going to a one-story bank building next door with a drive-in window.

The Village Board doesn’t meet there either. It currently primarily uses the Ridgeway Town Hall and sometimes the Senior Center. For several years it used the Shelby Town Hall.

The Village Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals continues to use the City Hall meeting room for their sessions.

The Medina Sandstone Society uses the main meeting room at City Hall for the Medina Sandstone Hall of Fame. This photo shows the induction ceremony on Oct. 17, 2024. The Sandstone Society has inducted 43 sites since the debut class in 2013.

The City Hall “Council Chambers” has been the Medina Sandstone Hall of Fame since 2013. The Medina Sandstone Society the third Thursday in October each year inducts sites into the Hall of Fame which is now up to 43 sites.

While the village clerk’s staff is out of city hall, the code enforcement officer remains on the third floor.

Mayor Marguerite Sherman would like to see the building be better used, especially for the Village Board meetings.

Medina will be pursuing a $40,000 accessibility grant to show how City Hall could become ADA compliant. The grant doesn’t require any local match, said Jay Grasso, Medina’s grant writer.

This study should lead to larger grants to address the accessibility shortcomings with the building, which was constructed in 1908 out of local sandstone.

“There should be significant money to make repairs,” Grasso said.

But first Medina needs a formal study assessing the conditions of the site.

Dave Miller of the Sandstone Society speaks during the Oct. 17, 2024 induction. Medina moved its village offices out of the building in 1999 to a former bank building next door on Park Avenue. The Village Board also doesn’t use the main room for its meetings, instead typically using at the Ridgeway Town Hall or Senior Center.

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Elvis impersonator Terry Buchwald performs “Bue Suede Shoes” and other classics from a  stage on Main Street on Wednesday during the Super Cruise.

Buchwald is shown looking through the side windows of a 1965 GMC pickup owned by Jim Stone.

There were 289 classic cars, trucks and other vehicles at the Super Cruise. The event is sponsored by The Walsh and Hellner Development Company.

That is a bigger turnout than last year when about 250 cars ad trucks were at the cruise-in.

Medina shuts down part of Main Street for the show. Cars parked on Main Street from the Center Street intersection going down North Main past the American Legion.

Darren Tobolski of Waterport brought a 1972 AMC Gavelin to the Super Cruise. The car has been in his family since 1979. He took it to his prom in 1983.

“She’s been a driver and survivor,” he said.

The car has 95,000 original miles on it. Tobolski said there aren’t too many Javelins at car shows.

“She’s not the prettiest car but she draws a lot of attention,” he said.

Many onlookers wanted a close look at this 2023 Vanderhall owned by Rick and Judy Overholt. Vanderhall Motor Works manufactures these three-wheeled autocycles, which have two wheels in the front and one in the back.

David Sevor gets his 1994 Cutlass Supreme convertible ready for the crowd. Sevor, a retired Holley police officer, bought the car in Michigan six years ago. The car gets many admirers during the cruise-ins.

“I don’t think you’ll find another car like it,” he said. “I like to be different.”

There are Cutlass Supreme cars at the cruise-ins, but Sevor said his car is unusual in being a convertible.

He has been to 25 cruise-ins so far this year. He loves the setting on a vibrant Main Street in Medina.

“It’s amazing what they’ve done here in Medina,” he said.

A 1972 Gran Torino Sport drew many onlookers to see the car up close.

Terry Buchwald arrived on Main Street in a motorcycle. He slowly made his way past the cars and people to his spot on the stage. Buchwald has been performing at the Super Cruise for several years.

The event caps off the cruise-in season in Medina. The cruises are usually on Friday evenings in the parking lot of the Senior Center on West Avenue.

The line of cars stretched down North Main Street farther than usual.

This 1973 Dodge – Andy’s Dream Machine – is owned by Andrea Wells of Albion.

Terry Buchwald told the crowd he was impressed by so many well cared for classic cars.